The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the approval for the recruitment of 3,000 new workers across different sectors in the state. This was made known on Monday during a media parley by the State’s Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, as part of activities heralding the 2025 Public Service Week Celebration in the state.
According to Elder Essien, the 3,000 new jobs will be distributed across three key areas: the mainstream Civil Service, the Healthcare sector, and the Teaching Service. Each of these sectors will receive 1,000 new workers, creating employment opportunities for qualified individuals in Akwa Ibom State.
He explained that this recruitment is coming shortly after the state concluded a major verification exercise for public servants, which was ordered by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, last year.
Essien revealed that out of over 55,000 public servants on the state payroll, less than 53,000 workers showed up for the verification, leading to the removal of 2,208 individuals from the system.
“This created vacancies in the public sector in Akwa Ibom State,” Elder Essien explained.
“I want to also gladly report that arising from that verification exercise, on the heels of this Public Service Week Celebration, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno has approved the recruitment of 3,000 workers into the public service of Akwa Ibom — 1,000 workers to the main service of Akwa Ibom State, 1,000 for medical personnel, and 1,000 to the teaching service,” he added.
In addition to the recruitment, the Governor has approved the release of the 2025 promotion for public servants. Elder Essien also announced that N2.5 billion has been approved and released for the clearing of the backlog of the 7.5% contributory pension scheme, which was suspended in 2013.
The Head of Civil Service used the opportunity to commend Governor Umo Eno, describing him as a “workers-friendly Governor” who is committed to the welfare of workers in the state.
Elder Essien praised the Governor for introducing the new N80,000 minimum wage, prompt payment of salaries, donation of 150 units of two-bedroom flats at Grace Estate to lower cadre civil servants, and the donation of brand-new SUVs to Permanent Secretaries in the state.
He particularly applauded the Governor’s effort in clearing the backlog of pensions and gratuities, noting that the debt, which was around N90 billion when Governor Eno assumed office, has now been reduced to about N30 billion.
While speaking on the upcoming 2025 Public Service Week, Elder Essien revealed that the theme for this year is “Leveraging Technology for a Smart and Agile Public Service.”
The celebration is scheduled to begin on Wednesday with a public lecture at the Civil Service Auditorium by 11:00 am. The lecture will be delivered by the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong.
As part of the activities, a novelty football match between the Mainstream Civil Service and the Local Government Service Staff will take place on Friday by 4:00 pm.
A road walk is also scheduled for Saturday by 7:00 am, with the takeoff point at Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Field.
The celebration will climax on Sunday, 29th June 2025, with a Thanksgiving Service at the International Worship Centre. The Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is expected to attend as the Special Guest.
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The approval of 3,000 jobs by the Akwa Ibom State Government has been described as a major boost for employment and the welfare of workers in the state, especially at a time when job opportunities in Nigeria remain highly competitive.